7

At Rollins Consulting in DC, Lucian navigates his strict, intimidating workplace. Petula runs interference; Nolan reports progress tracing Anthony Hugo’s laundering, while Lucian demands bigger leads. Despite denying bias, Lucian’s thoughts drift to Sloane. He refuses Nolan’s help with the feds, intent on keeping focus on himself.

Private investigator Nallana Jones delivers damning files on Congressman Trip Armistead. Lucian tasks Lina with crafting an anonymous tip package to pressure Trip. Lina confronts Lucian about not accepting a full-time role, citing his treatment of Sloane. She proceeds with the assignment.

Trip arrives confident; Lucian presents evidence of multiple paid sexual encounters, one with a newly eighteen-year-old, and his missed veterans’ vote. Lucian forces Trip to resign quietly and threatens exposure if he reoffends. As Trip exits, Lucian ushers in Sheila Chandra, signaling her run for Trip’s seat.

Later, Lina confirms delivery of cash to a sex worker and reveals the Georgetown address is a covertly funded halfway house tied to Lucian’s shell companies. She challenges his motives; Lucian admits to ruining only those who deserve it. Lina accepts the job with a 10% raise, conditions out if he turns “dark,” and insists on joining the Hugo investigation.

Talk turns personal: Lina schedules her full-time start after a DC wedding dress outing with Naomi and Sloane; Lucian invites them to the office, betraying interest in Sloane. The chapter closes with Lucian urging Emry by text to use symphony tickets to ask a woman out, hinting at Lucian’s manipulative yet protective streak.